One of Michael Annett's long-time NASCAR sponsors has committed to making a touching gesture in honour of his tragic death last week.
Pilot Flying J were involved with Annett for 14 seasons of a long career, in which he made 436 starts across NASCAR's three leading series.
Annett had retired from the sport in 2021 after a season disrupted by a stress fracture in his leg, which caused him to miss seven of the final 16 races of the season for JR Motorsports.
It was his former team JRM who announced his death on social media, writing: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett. Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.”
Pilot Flying J share Annett tribute
In their own tribute, Pilot Flying J wrote: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Annett family, the JRM Motorsports team and the entire NASCAR community. It was our privilege to sponsor Michael for 14 seasons and fuel his love for racing.
"Pilot will be making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory and extends our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and fans."
A number of drivers, including Brad Keselowski, also took to social media to speak about their former colleague, with the RFK Racing co-owner sharing a video of a younger Annett winning an ARCA race.
"I remember this day vividly," he said. "Michael was an up and comer at the same time I was and he was looking really good. In the end, Life took us different paths and all of us who knew him and the talent he had are sad to see him go, but glad he is no longer suffering."
